Q&A with Nikki Yanofsky

Up-and-coming jazz singer Nikki Yanofsky has a talent you wouldn't expect from a 15-year-old girl. Her voice is beyond her years, and she seems to know exactly what she's doing. Yanofsky not only looks up to soulful singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Aretha Franklin, but she's set to follow in their footsteps.

In 2007, she became the youngest singer to record for Verve Records when she sang "Airmail Special" for an Ella Fitzgerald tribute album. In 2008, she was nominated for two Juno Awards (Canada's music awards). In 2010, she'll sing "I Believe," the theme song for the upcoming Winter Olympics. That's no small feat for someone who hasn't graduated high school yet. But a diploma isn't too far off for Yanofsky, who still attends class despite her demanding schedule.

Yanofsky's first studio album is set to be released in the spring on Decca Records, produced by Phil Ramone and Jesse Harris of Norah Jones fame. Yanofsky says she's poised and ready for this next big career step, expressing gratitude for the chance to actually do what most dream about.

I had the chance to catch up with this young singer on the brink of stardom. Below is what Nikki Yanofsky had to say about work, balancing school and, of course, her celebrity crush.

Since you're so young and have such a promising future ahead of you, I want to ask you about your career goals. What excites you most about your future?

Yanofsky: I don't have one in (mind) specifically, but I always aspire to be the best I can be. When you think you're the best at something you can become egotistical, but there's always room for improvement. My goal is to grow myself as an artist and as a person.

A lot of kids grow up thinking they'd like to sing or perform. When did you first realize that you were very talented?

Yanofsky: I never really noticed it. I love music and I've always listened to music ever since I was two years old... I always knew that if you love something so much and if you're passionate about it, it's a probably a good career choice because it doesn't feel like work at all. My dad had a garage band and I used to ask them if I could sing with them. They noticed that I was actually good.

What have been some of your favorite collaborations?

Yanofsky: Definitely working with Wyclef Jean. He is so much fun to work with. He has such a different work ethic. Also, Ron Sexsmith. He's one of my favorite (song) writers.

What artists do you look up to and listen to?

Yanofsky: I'm listening to as much as I possibly can, every genre. I'm listening to a lot of the Beatles, a lot of Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Ron Sexsmith, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, a lot of classic rock.

A lot of artists that find success at a very young age grow up to turn down a negative path for whatever reason. Sometimes they make questionable choices and their image can change. Do you see artists like these as good role models?

Yanofsky: Some people don't handle the spotlight as well as others; it gets overwhelming. It comes with responsibility so you have to be able to handle whatever the career path throws at you. If you're aware that (bad times) are just passing, and you have a confident head on your shoulders, there's no reason for it to go bad. At the same time, we're also human so we're going to make some mistakes here and there.

Do you go to school? How do you balance getting an education?

Yanofsky: I go to class. I had a full day of school today. I go to a very artsy school, so when I travel the teachers give me the work when I leave so I can do it on the road. I still get the exams and tests like everyone else.

When is your album going to be released and what can we look forward to?

Yanofsky: Spring 2010. I don't know if there's a specific date yet. It's very different than what people are used to. I'm known as a cover artist who sings jazz, but there's also original songs. The songs came out really great and some of them are more jazzy and some are more pop and R&B. I'm really excited for it to come out. It's very exhilarating that people are buying my music because they enjoy it. It's really cool.

You have such a beautiful voice, but I'm guessing you haven't experienced some of the subject matter described in the songs you sing. How do you bring emotion to your songs when you're singing about love or heartbreak?

Yanofsky: When I started out, I would pretend that I was in a play, trying to really emote as best as I could. But now that I'm 15, almost 16, I have been in love and also had my heart broken... all good things to come to an end.

So, who's your celebrity crush?

Yanofsky: I kind of think it's all based on shallow things unless you actually know the person, for example Robert Pattinson. I think every girl has a crush on him.